And so, here I am in January 2007, the proud attendee of 141 shows in 2006. Please hold your applause 'til the end.
Anyway, here are some highlights, followed by the whole list for those keeping score at home.
And if you are keeping score, God help you. But here are some fun facts. I saw shows in 12 states. The fewest shows seen in a month was 5 (February). The most shows seen in a month was 19 (in June). From June 7 to June 17, I saw 25 full or near-full sets. I saw Maybe Pete 17 times. I saw the Hudson Falcons 12 times. I saw Marah 12 times. I saw the Avett Brothers a measly 8 times. The last live song I heard in 2006 was "Judas Kiss" by Eric Ambel and the Roscoe Trio (and it was damn good).
Top 10 Shows
1. BR549/Avett Brothers (Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY)
This was the third time I'd seen the tour, and it was by far the best, with both bands revved up for the Saturday night NYC crowd. It was the first time I saw the Avetts really claim a big NYC crowd as their own, and, unfortunately, some Avett fans bailed after their set and missed out on seeing BR549 rise to the challenge of living up to the Avetts' set. And while they didn't necessarily come out on top, they did put on a helluva show that ended with the Avetts coming back on stage to tear apart "Stay A Little Longer." One of the best shows I've ever seen in any year.
2. The Campbell Brothers/Lee Boys (BB King's Blues Club, New York, NY)
Sometimes great shows hit you when you least expect it. I'd sorta been interested in seeing the Campbell Brothers for awhile, since I like Sacred Steel music, or at least what I'd heard of it. So, when I got the weekly e-mail from BB King's offering free tickets (the easy access to free shows in NYC helped out in the drive for 100), I figured I'd take a shot. And what I got was another of the best shows I've ever been to. The opening set by the Lee Boys was good enough, but it didn't prepare me for the total domination and joyful noise of the Campbell Brothers' set. By the time, the Lee Boys joined the Campbell Brothers on "Jump for Joy," I was out of my seat, jumping around, overtaken by the genuine euphoria of the music. There are no pictures of this, so you'll have to trust me. And trust me that you have to see the Campbell Brothers at least once in your life.
3. The Yayhoos/Bottle Rockets (Mercury Lounge, New York, NY)
Again, there's no possible way this show could've sucked. Even after already seeing the Yayhoos twice and the Bottle Rockets four times in the year, I was ready for more, and both bands delivered. The Bottle Rockets seemed a little more revved up than usual after a dismal turnout in Brooklyn the night before and pounded out absolutely killer rock. And then the Yayhoos took the stage, opened with an NRBQ cover, and then showed why they are the mightiest band in the world. People who cannot enjoy themselves at a Yayhoos show are people who should be locked in a room and forced to listen to the Dave Matthews Band for the rest of their lives. Or maybe subjected to something less harsh.
4. Alejandro Escovedo/Marah (Irving Plaza, New York, NY)
Another unbelievable double bill that shows that there was some divine force that wanted me to break the 100 Shows in a Year barrier. I only wish I could've seen more than one show with this lineup. It's always good to see Marah on a big stage where they can stretch out and show a big crowd why they're everything rock and roll oughta be. And though a short Marah set is never ideal, they managed to pack every minute on the Irving Plaza stage with the sweat and power of a marathon, three-hour show. When they were done doing that, the Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra took everybody higher with a set that alternated between haunting and rocking. Or, in other words, it kicked ass like every Alejandro show does.
5. John Fogerty/Willie Nelson (PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ)
I don't generally hold high hopes for outdoor amphitheater shows, even ones co-headlined by two legends like Fogerty and Nelson. But this turned out to be the best amphitheater show ever, even though I almost ended up stranded in the PNC Bank Arts Center parking lot after getting on the wrong bus to the Aberdeen-Matawan train station. Of course, the only reason I was running late for that bus was because during the encore, which was a few minutes after people started to leave in order to beat the traffic, Bruce Springsteen joined John Fogerty on stage to sing "Long Tall Sally." And with that, my first unannounced Springsteen appearance, I officially became a New Jerseyan. But it was a kickass show before that moment, with a great opening set by Willie and the Family, during which Willie's guitar picking was back on display after his recent carpal tunnel troubles. And then Fogerty choogled through his headlining set, pounding out hit after hit before the Boss joined in. I was so happy that I was able to not scream at the stupid git that said she was "glad I finally got up" to see Bruce. Pardon me for having manners, hot shot.
6. The Yayhoos/Avett Brothers/Walter Clevenger and the Dairy Kings (Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, MO)
The first night of Twangfest, a festival that apparently made it its mission to book almost all of my favorite bands for their tenth (and final?) year. Walter Clevenger and the Dairy Kings (and Robbie "Cousin Oliver" Rist) were a happy surprise, the Avett Brothers nailed a set that alternately rocked the believers and offended the naysayers, and the Yayhoos topped it all off by overpowering a crowd that should have been bigger. And then I was so deliriously happy that I (a) related to Yayhoo Keith Christopher that he once walked in on me taking a dump in the Mercury Lounge bathroom and (b) walked all the way back to my hotel through streets that I'd never walked before. Completely sober. It was a good night.
7. Marah/Adam Masterson/Christine Smith (Underground, Philadelphia, PA)
The best Marah show of the year, undoubtedly a much sought-after distinction for all involved. If the eight people that read this blog weren't already Marah fans, maybe I would go on another rant about how a Marah show will almost certainly be the greatest thing you'll ever see, particularly a Marah show in Philadelphia. Or I would mention how a life lived without seeing a Marah show is empty, shallow, and meaningless. Luckily, you've all seen Marah, so I can stop now.
8. Joe Ely (Joe's Pub, New York, NY)
I generally like Ely best with a band, but this solo show was almost as entertaining (though not as powerful) as a Joe Ely Band show. The night was full of interesting stories (how many people do you know that actually ran away and joined the circus?) and classic songs, both his own ("Me and Billy the Kid" and "I'm Gonna Strangle You Shorty") and others' (the only song about cockfighting that always puts me on the verge of tears, Tom Russell's "Gallo del Cielo," and Terry Allen's "Gimme A Ride To Heaven, Boy"). And it was also the last show I saw in my 20s. Sigh.
9. Scott Miller and the Commonwealth/Lucero/Mic Harrison and the High Score (Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, MO)
Another great Twangfest show, although Lucero's set didn't do all that much for me. But seeing V-Roys Mic Harrison and Scott Miller sharing a mike on "Cold Beer Hello" (and Shawn McWilliams's guitar solo) puts this show on the Top 10 list. Miller's set was actually a blast from start to finish, heavy on songs from the excellent "Citation." I also caught about 10 songs from headliners BR549, but I had to be up early in the morning for a reluctant flight home. Twangfest was a good time. I hope they figure out a way to do it again. [EDIT: Looks like they just might: The Twangfest site says it's on for June 6-9, 2007. Make your plans accordingly.]
10. Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete/Doug McKean (Chuck's Steakhouse, Akron, OH)
The best all-around show of my week on the road with the Hudson Falcons and Maybe Pete, and it was (a) preceded by a good dinner and a killer jukebox run, (b) featured a request for Phil Collins during Maybe Pete's set, and (c) was capped off by a jam on Bruce Springsteen's "No Surrender." I wish more than eight music lovers in Akron had seen it.
The next 10
11. Little Jimmy Dickens/Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright/Hank Thompson/Jean Shepard/Ferlin Husky/Charlie Louvin (American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA)
12. Eric Ambel and the Roscoe Trio (Lakeside Lounge, New York, NY)
13. Ollabelle and Friends (Banjo Jim's, New York, NY)
14. Strays Don't Sleep (Canal Room, New York, NY)
15. Soweto Gospel Choir (NJPAC, Newark, NJ)
16. Bottle Rockets (Mercury Lounge, New York, NY)
17. Drive By Truckers/Bobby Bare Jr. (Webster Hall, New York, NY)
18. Bloodshot CMJ BBQ (Meat Purveyors, Bobby Bare Jr., Deadstring Brothers, Silos, Mark Pickerel, Scott Biram) (Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY)
19. Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete/Jason Bennet and the Resistance (Middle East, Cambridge, MA)
20. Scott Miller (Rodeo Bar, New York, NY)
And here's the full list, as documented by me in a multicolored table in Microsoft Word throughout the year. I will soon be passing that on to the Nerd Hall of Fame. Look for it. I can get you passes.
(And for those who don't read this blog regularly, I suppose I should prepare you for the fact that, yes, I saw Debbie Gibson. And to make that a little more pathetic, I only had the opportunity to see her because Steven Seagal cancelled his scheduled show. Judge me if you must.)
JANUARY (9)
1/9 Dan Baird and Homemade Sin/Laura Veltz Scenic (New York, NY)
1/13 Marah/Adam and Dave's Bloodline/Maybe Pete/Kindred Souls Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ)
1/14 Marah/Andrew Grimm Iota (Arlington, VA)
1/15 BR549/Avett Brothers Ram's Head Tavern (Annapolis, MD)
1/18 Bobby Bare Sr. Joe's Pub (New York, NY)
1/20 BR549/Avett Brothers Mohegan Sun Wolf Den (Uncasville, CT)
1/21 Blackout Shoppers/Hymen Holocaust/A lot of punk bands whose names weren't as memorable as Blackout Shoppers and Hymen Holocaust Nikki and Sam's (New York, NY)
1/21 BR549/Avett Brothers Bowery Ballroom (New York, NY)
1/25 Maybe Pete/Pagoda Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ)
FEBRUARY (5)
2/16 Flogging Molly/Scotch Greens Nokia Theatre (New York, NY)
2/19 Allen Toussaint Joe's Pub (New York, NY)
2/21 Maybe Pete Rockwood Music Hall (New York, NY)
2/21 Bobby Bare Jr. Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)
2/25 Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete/Jason Bennet and the Resistance Middle East (Cambridge, MA)
MARCH (11)
3/8 Jon Langford's Ship and Pilot Bowery Poetry Club (New York, NY)
3/10 Marah/Kieran McGee Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ)
3/11 Marah Drew's (Ringwood, NJ)
3/12 Todd Snider World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA)
3/16 Pogues/Slackers/William Elliott Whitmore Nokia Theatre (New York, NY)
3/18 Little Jimmy Dickens/Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright/Hank Thompson/Jean Shepard/Ferlin Husky/Charlie Louvin American Music Theatre (Lancaster, PA)
3/19 Mike Ferrio/Eric Ambel Banjo Jim's (New York, NY)
3/23 Kathleen Edwards/Joel Plaskett Joe's Pub (New York, NY)
3/24 Billy Bragg/Jill Sobule Society for Ethical Culture (New York, NY)
3/25 Maybe Pete Pussycat Lounge (New York, NY)
3/31 Alejandro Escovedo Joe's Pub (New York, NY)
APRIL (8)
4/7 Neko Case/High Dials Webster Hall (New York, NY)
4/9 Soweto Gospel Choir NJPAC (Newark, NJ)
4/13 Losers' Lounge: The Highwaymen Joe's Pub (New York, NY)
4/14 Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys/King Wilkie Town Hall (New York, NY)
4/15 Lakeside Lounge 10th Anniversary w/ The Roscoe Trio Lakeside Lounge (New York, NY)
4/19 Jon Langford's Ship and Pilot (w/ Sally Timms)/Chris Mills/The Victoria Lucas Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)
4/24 Highway 61 Revisited Lion's Den (New York, NY)
4/28 Supersuckers/Rhino Bucket Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ)
MAY (10)
5/3 Rodney Crowell Canal Room (New York, NY)
5/4 Rodney Crowell Canal Room (New York, NY)
5/6 Greencards Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ)
5/10 Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver WFC Plaza (New York, NY)
5/13 Hudson Falcons/Final Summation Club Deep (Asbury Park, NJ)
5/13 Hudson Falcons/Five Shot/Labor Day Saints East End Cafe (Newark, DE)
5/18 Marah/Adam and Dave's Bloodline World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA)
5/19 Elvis Costello and the Imposters (w/ Billie Joe Armstrong/Fiona Apple/Death Cab for Cutie) Taj Mahal (Atlantic City, NJ)
5/21 Avett Brothers Wine in the Woods (Columbia, MD)
5/27 Black 47/Searson/Glengarry Bhoys East Durham (NY) Irish Fest (East Durham, NY)
JUNE (19)
6/1 Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Schimmel Center (New York, NY)
6/3 Deborah Gibson Newport Centre Mall (Jersey City, NJ)
6/7 Yayhoos/Avett Brothers/Walter Clevenger and the Dairy Kings Schlafly Tap Room (Twangfest; St. Louis, MO)
6/8 Dirtbombs/Deadstring Brothers/Glossary/ Transmitters Duck Room (Twangfest; St. Louis, MO)
6/9 Bottle Rockets/Kevin Gordon/Sovines Duck Room (Twangfest; St. Louis, MO)
6/10 Scott Miller and the Commonwealth/Lucero/Mic Harrison Duck Room (Twangfest; St. Louis, MO)
6/13 Yayhoos/Chris Harford/Tom Freund Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)
6/14 Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys/Tres Chicas Stuyvesant High School Auditorium (New York, NY)
6/15 Bottle Rockets/Bobby Bare Jr. Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ)
6/16 Bottle Rockets Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)
6/17 Rhett Miller/Ollabelle/Teddy Thompson Summerstage (New York, NY)
6/17 Maybe Pete CBGB Lounge (New York, NY)
6/20 Son Volt WFC Plaza (New York, NY)
6/20 Will Hoge Southpaw (Brooklyn, NY)
6/22 Alejandro Escovedo/Marah Irving Plaza (New York, NY)
6/25 Cheap Trick/George Clinton/Los Lobos/Patti Smith/Fab Faux/Smithereens/John Eddie Liberty State Park (Jersey City, NJ)
6/28 Dr. John Rockefeller Park (New York, NY)
6/29 Strays Don't Sleep Canal Room (New York, NY)
6/30 Scott Miller and the Commonwealth South Street Seaport (New York, NY)
JULY (14)
7/1 Southside Johnny/Maybe Pete/Bob Polding Band/Joe D'Urso Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ)
7/3 Hudson Falcons/Ratchets/Guns on the Run/Chilling Details Club Deep (Asbury Park, NJ)
7/5 Rhonda Vincent and the Rage Madison Square Park (New York, NY)
7/6 Biscuit Burners/Chapin Sisters Living Room (New York, NY)
7/12 Uncle Earl/Abigail Washburn Madison Square Park (New York, NY)
7/14 Dave Alvin South Street Seaport (New York, NY)
7/14 Avett Brothers/Nicole Atkins Bowery Ballroom (New York, NY)
7/15 Green River Music Festival (Alejandro Escovedo/Avett Brothers) Greenfield Community College (Greenfield, MA)
7/17 Mark Linskey/Roger Hoover and the Whiskeyhounds Club Deep (Asbury Park, NJ)
7/18 Terry Allen WFC Plaza (New York, NY)
7/18 Roger Hoover and the Whiskeyhounds Rodeo Bar (New York, NY)
7/19 Little Feat Rockefeller Park (New York, NY)
7/22 Maybe Pete Bitter End (New York, NY)
7/29 Huey Lewis and the News/Chicago PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ)
AUGUST (18)
8/1 Billy Joe Shaver Joe's Pub (New York, NY)
8/2 Mary Gauthier/Eliza Gilkyson Madison Square Park (New York, NY)
8/2 Ollabelle and Friends Banjo Jim's (New York, NY)
8/3 Hippiefest (Dr. Hook, Country Joe, Mountain, Terry Sylvester, Joey Molland, Mitch Ryder) Asser Levy Park (Brooklyn, NY)
8/5 John Fogerty/Willie Nelson PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ)
8/12 German Alps Festival (Jimmy Sturr, die Bayrische 7) Hunter Mountain (Hunter, NY)
8/13 German Alps Festival (Jimmy Sturr) Hunter Mountain (Hunter, NY)
8/15 Todd Snider/Rebecca Schiffman Canal Room (New York, NY)
8/16 Will Kimbrough Lakeside Lounge (New York, NY)
8/17 Morley/April Smith and the Great Picture Show NJPAC Theater Square (Newark, NJ)
8/18 Roots of American Music Festival (Bettye Lavette, Hazel Dickens, Murray Porter, Chico Hamilton/Buster Williams, Guy Davis) Lincoln Center (New York, NY)
8/19 Roots of American Music Festival (Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd) Lincoln Center (New York, NY)
8/20 Roots of American Music Festival (Adrienne Young, Murray Porter, Blue Vipers of Brooklyn) Lincoln Center (New York, NY)
8/20 Avett Brothers/Reverend Payton's Big Damn Band Concert Cruise (New York, NY)
8/24 Holmes Brothers Terra Blues (New York, NY)
8/25 John Arthur Martinez/Uncle Monk Ace of Clubs (New York, NY)
8/28 Miranda Lambert/Buddy Love Project House of Blues (Atlantic City, NJ)
8/30 Campbell Brothers/Lee Boys BB King's (New York, NY)
SEPTEMBER (15)
9/2 Bob Dylan/Jimmie Vaughan/Junior Brown Doubleday Field (Cooperstown, NY)
9/9 Marah/Slo Mo/Shalitas/ Adam and Dave's Bloodline/Christine Smith Northsix (Brooklyn, NY)
9/10 Beausoleil Robert F. Wagner Park (New York, NY)
9/16 Suzanne Vega/Alejandro Escovedo/Don Byron Fulton Ferry Park (Brooklyn, NY)
9/18 Ernst Hutter and Die Egerlander Musikanten/Jimmy Sturr Carnegie Hall (New York, NY)
9/21 Drive By Truckers/Bobby Bare Jr. Webster Hall (New York, NY)
9/23 Bobby Bare Jr./Films/Ghostfinger Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ)
9/24 Chuck Berry/Jerry Lee Lewis/Duprees/Frankie Lymon's Teenagers Patriots Stadium (Bridgewater, NJ)
9/25 Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete Manitoba's (New York, NY)
9/26 Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete/Unarmed/The War Is On Mr. Roboto Project (Pittsburgh, PA)
9/26 Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete Smiling Moose (Pittsburgh, PA)
9/27 Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete/Doug McKean Chuck's Steakhouse (Akron, OH)
9/28 Yesterday's Youth/Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete Bernie's Distillery (Columbus, OH)
9/29 Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete/Trouble Clefs/Dig-Its/Two-Bit Hoods Marley's Dog House (Huntington, WV)
9/30 Hudson Falcons/Maybe Pete 2500 Park (Detroit, MI)
OCTOBER (10)
10/4 Hank Williams III Northsix (Brooklyn, NY)
10/6 John Train Fergie's Pub (Philadelphia, PA)
10/11 Randy Newman Carnegie Hall (New York, NY)
10/12 Jon Langford's Ship and Pilot (w/ Sally Timms) Southpaw (Brooklyn, NY)
10/13 Earl Scruggs/King Wilkie BB King's (New York, NY)
10/16 Flogging Molly/Bedouin Soundclash Webster Hall (New York, NY)
10/20 Marah/Chris Mills/Michael Leviton Housing Works Used Book Cafe (New York, NY)
10/26 Marah/Adam Masterson/Katy Pfaffl Living Room (New York, NY)
10/28 Marah/Adam Masterson/Christine Smith Underground (Philadelphia, PA)
10/31 George Jones/Kris Kristofferson Carnegie Hall (New York, NY)
NOVEMBER (15)
11/1 Steve Earle/Allison Moorer/Laura Cantrell/Tim Easton Southpaw (Brooklyn, NY)
11/3 Jon Langford (w/ Sally Timms, Bill Anderson, Jean Cook, and John Wesley Harding) Living Room (New York, NY)
11/4 Bloodshot CMJ BBQ (Meat Purveyors, Bobby Bare Jr., Deadstring Brothers, Silos, Mark Pickerel, Scott Biram) Union Pool (Brooklyn, NY)
11/4 Maybe Pete/La Dolce Vita/Morning Theft Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ)
11/8 Bottle Rockets/Sean Kershaw and the New Jack Ramblers Europa (Brooklyn, NY)
11/9 Yayhoos/Bottle Rockets Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)
11/10 Matthew Ryan/Thad Cockrell/Michelle Malone Living Room (New York, NY)
11/14 Christine Smith Living Room (New York, NY)
11/14 Joe Ely Joe's Pub (New York, NY)
11/15 Will Hoge Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ)
11/17 Bobby Bare Jr. Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)
11/20 Adam Masterson/Willie Breeding/Christine Smith Googie's Lounge (New York, NY)
11/26 Marah/Adam Masterson Drew's (Ringwood, NJ)
11/27 Mike Viola/Jim Boggia Living Room (New York, NY)
11/28 Scott Miller Rodeo Bar (New York, NY)
DECEMBER (7)
12/4 Matthew Ryan/Willie Nile/Matt Mays + El Torpedo Union Hall (Brooklyn, NY)
12/8 Marah/Shalitas/Matt Mays + El Torpedo Irving Plaza (New York, NY)
12/12 Ollabelle Union Hall (Brooklyn, NY)
12/15 Ducky Boys/Hudson Falcons//Pug Uglies/Singing Spells TT The Bear's (Cambridge, MA)
12/18 Adam Masterson/Christine Smith/Willie Breeding Googie's Lounge (New York, NY)
12/22 Maybe Pete/The Commons/Mike June The Underpass (Elmwood Park, NJ)
12/31 Eric Ambel and the Roscoe Trio Lakeside Lounge (New York, NY)
I don't plan on topping 141 in 2007. Or even keeping track of concerts seen. But, by February, I'll probably get bored.
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